Golden Avalanche Brewing Co is located within the Kutztown Tavern, downtown Kutztown, PA. It has been open since 1999. Kutztown is in south-eastern Pennsylvania, north west of Philly and right outside Allentown. The beers included a spring bock, a blueberry ale (very fruity), an alt, a pale, a weizen, and a locally popular blond lager. There was also a cream stout, and my favorite: a unique bourbon stout, brewed with a hint of vanilla, which actually did taste a bit like bourbon.

I happened to meet Bob the brewer as I walked in. Bob was very welcoming and happily answered my questions. He used to be the assistant brewer and took over as brew-master somewhat recently. The food was very decent and so was the size of the portions.

Kutztown Tavern & Golden Avalanche Brewing Co.
272 West Main Street Kutztown, PA 19530
Tel: 610.683.9600 Web: http://www.kutztowntavern.com/golden.html

Nearby attractions include Crystal Cave, right outside of town, which is fun to visit, especially on a really hot and sticky Pennsylvania summer day. It is a quick tour and offers twenty minutes of consistent mid-fifties temperatures while admiring stalactites (the ones that come down) and stalagmites (the one that climb). If only they let you take beer from the brewery and sit there for a while, that'd be even better!

Brewpubs of Central Pennsylvania

A recent trip to Pennsylvania sent me visiting quite a few local breweries and brewpubs. To begin with, here is my impression of the two I visited in the central part of the State: Marzoni's in Duncansville, and Otto's brewpub in State College. Following is another of my favorite spots in Pennsylavania: the Market Cross Brewpub in Carlisle, PA, closer to the State Capital. Here's a quick review of all three.

Otto’s Brewpub – State College, PA

Otto’s is a wonderful brewpub and restaurant I discovered on a rainy day, driving across the state. State College is pretty much located in the very center of Pennsylvania, in a county named appropriately Centre County. The town is host to the main campus of the Pennsylvania State University, usually referred to as Penn State.

Otto’s is on a main road, just outside of the downtown area. It opened 12 October 2002 and has done very well. My wife and I sat down for samplers and lunch. I got to try half a dozen of the brews and found my three favorites to be a very smooth Red Mo Ale, a very well put-together hearty Weizenbock, and a very smooth and creamy Black Mo Stout (see picture below and tell me that doesn't look yummy!).

Charlie, owner and brewer, came by our table and kindly offered to give me a tour of the facilities. Charlie originally got some of his training by briefly helping out during the opening of the Santa Barbara Brewing Company (local to this Barbeerian)! In 1996, he then became the head-brewer at the newly opened Bullfrog Brewery, in Williamsport, PA. Charlie eventually decided to start his own venture and in 2002 opened Otto’s, naming the business after his cat. I didn’t get to meet the kitty (I understand he’s a bit shy) but saw plenty of pictures of him. Otto is like the celebrity you rarely get to meet, and is featured on the brewery’s logo. The gift shop has plenty of cool merchandise with his likeness on it. Oh, and I must mention a couple more things: the food was fabulous, and the place is all non-smoking, a rarity in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Also good to know: Charlie is hoping to start bottling his beers soon. The place is pleasant and fun all the way around. I’m hoping to visit again and highly recommend the stop.

Charlie (above) brewer at Otto's gave me a tour of the brewing facilities.

Otto's Pub & Brewery
2105 N. Atherton St. State College, PA 16803
Phone: (814) 867-6886

http://www.ottospubandbrewery.com

Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Co. in Duncansville, PA

Marzoni's is relatively new; it is open since November 2003. It is located in Duncansville, PA which is just to the south of Altoona, PA. This is central Pennsylvania, not far from State College. I got the samplers and got to meet Bill Kroft, the brewer. Bill came by to say hello and tell me about his beers. He used to be a home brewer and became the brew-master at Marzoni's. The beers were a bit thin for my own taste but I enjoyed the Patchway Pale Ale and the Avalanche IPA. The Stone Mason Stout was also pleasant but could have used a bit more body. This was a quick pit-stop and I didn't get to sample the food. It looked like a good place to stop for a meal though.

Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Co.
165 Patchway Road Duncansville, PA 16635
Tel: 814-695-2931 http://www.marzonis.com/map.html

Market Cross Brewpub – Carlisle, PA

The Market cross Brewpub is a place I discovered years ago and has been one of my favorite spots in Pennsylvania ever since. It is located downtown Carlisle, west of Harrisburg, the state capital.

The pub is called after a historical monument known as the “Market Cross” in the town of Carlisle, England. It was opened in1994 as White Tail Brewery but changed hands and resumed business as Market Cross in 2002. The first thing one notices when walking in is the authentic English-pub atmosphere, which is what the owner intended. The pub’s ten-barrel open-fermentation system was actually brought over from England. Market Cross usually has only about three or four of their own beers on tap but they are usually very tasty. This time, they had the Tell-Me Rye ale which was a bit light for me but nice, a light Lion-heart Lager (again, a bit too thin for my taste) and the wonderful Market Cross Red. The latter was by far my favorite: I found it well hopped, with a nice body, balance and aroma. I could easily have had a few pints of that but stopped at one as I was driving. On previous visits to the pub, I have had the terrific Olde Yeller IPA, which sadly wasn’t going to be ready until August, and a wonderful porter.

I have yet to meet the brewer, Kevin Spicer, who does a great job with the beers. The food is also wonderful. The staff is very friendly and I love sitting at the bar for my meals there, as I always seem to find some great local patrons to talk to. The pub has a beer-only license and a friendly local crowd. The place does allow smoking but the state legislature is currently debating a smoking ban for bars and restaurants. I love the place and keep going back to on every trip to Pennsylvania!